Ripon Grammar School

The Good Schools Guide Review of Ripon Grammar School, Ripon, HG4 2DG

Our View

An unashamedly academic school, exemplifying much of the traditional English grammar school tradition, though certainly not an exam factory; even so, those with an IQ of lower than 120 could eventually find the pace too hot. A school that gives the impression of being happy with itself and its aims, sitting comfortably in its community - clearly wanted by the people of Ripon, who helped to fight off a challenge to its status in 2000.

Headmaster

Since 2004, Mr Martin Pearman (pronounced Pierman) MA (early fifties). Read chemistry at Oxford, taught previously at Bristol GS, Stamford and Woodhouse Grove, where he was deputy head. Three sons, one still at his school. Staff positive about their head and his method of gradual, thoughtful change - 'It's the atmosphere in this school which sets it apart; the quality of relationships between staff and students is better than in any school I've worked in'. Has attracted significant funding since award of specialist engineering status in 2006. A very approachable, unpretentious man, who brings a wide experience of schools and a clear vision of his school's purpose: 'to serve the local community with a high quality education, increasing the life chances of ordinary boys and girls'.

Academic Matters

Exam results consistently very good – 80 per cent A*-B at A level in 2011 including almost 17 per cent A* grades. Almost 65 per cent A/A* at GCSE. Specialist engineering status has brought astronomy, statistics and product design into the GCSE curriculum. A level science and maths unsurprisingly strong - roughly equal numbers of girls and boys take chemistry and maths, though physics remains a male stronghold. Complete lab refurbishment recently. Elsewhere some evidence of 'girls' subjects' in, eg, English literature and French (compulsory at GCSE). Sociology, psychology (popular), government and politics, theatre studies, PE also available. German (declining in many schools) still on offer, and Latin, originally started as a twilight subject, appearing by popular demand at GCSE. Ancient Greek offered as an extra curriculuar subject.

Does a very fine job over value-added (1015 between Key Stages 2 and 4, near the top of the tree nationally). This is all the more remarkable, given that RGS is not as highly selective as some grammar schools in, eg, Kent and Essex, being unable to draw pupils in great numbers from outside its defined catchment area. SEN support very good - SENCo oversees provision for, eg, visual and hearing impairment and a range of special needs.

Games, Options, the Arts

Over ninety different clubs and activities, ranging from the greenpower electric car to dancing – something for even the most reluctant sportsman or woman to get involved in. Compulsory sport: rugby and cricket mainstay for boys, hockey for girls. Football popular for both sexes (girls were Yorkshire junior champions), also mixed hockey, lacrosse, karate, swimming. Brand new sports hall paid for by independent fund-raising campaign, will be available for local use too. New Astroturf available. New music block due to appear, plus performing arts facility in the new sixth form centre. Lots of enthusiastic musicians - big band performs frequently in Ripon Cathedral, even entertained the Queen. Vocalists encouraged to join one of the two choirs. Superb art on display.

Background and Atmosphere

School originally housed in Ripon Cathedral, granted a royal charter by Queen Mary in 1555. Moved to present green and pleasant 23-acre site in 1874. Original Victorian buildings added to over the years, not always sympathetically, though previous air of impermanence is slowly disappearing, and sports hall, sixth form block and girls' boarding house have more of the dignity one expects in a school of this kind. Boys' boarding house (School) is integral, girls' (Johnson) stands on its own; both (especially the boys') were in need of refurbishment - a rolling programme will be completed in September 2012.

Weekly boarding popular; pupils come from North Yorkshire and beyond, some from Europe, North Africa, Dubai and Hong Kong. Boarders (room for 100 out of 800+) do well academically and the few in residence over the weekends are well catered for. Demand for boarding places (14 available a year) outstrips supply, especially post-GCSE.

New sixth form block will serve both RGS and nearby Outwood Academy, Ripon, making a reality of head's ambitions to serve the community; 100 applicants for the first thirty places. It will be interesting to see how it all works out, as traditional sixth form governance and organisation are adapted to new circumstances.

Pastoral Care and Discipline

Good pastoral system in operation; in addition pupils look after each other, sixth formers are trained as peer listeners, and teams of form tutors ably support heads of school. School say students interact well and both poor behaviour and exclusions are rare. Genuinely good relations between staff and students throughout the school; friendly and compassionate house staff create a relaxed boarding environment.

Pupils and Parents

Boarders from abroad, Yorkshire Dales and London, some from Forces, day pupils from Ripon and around. Wide range of parental backgrounds and wealth (or lack of it). Pupils a friendly, courteous, grounded bunch of individuals, proud and privileged to be at the school - little sign of the pushiness and fake sophistication often found further south. Former pupils include fashion designer Bruce Oldfield, rugby international Peter Squires, William Hague MP, David Curry MP, Guardian journalist Katharine Viner, TV presenter Richard Hammond.

Entrance

Mainly from local primaries but a smattering from prep schools. Heavily oversubscribed at 11+. Selection by verbal and non-verbal reasoning tests administered by LA; school takes top 28 per cent of cohort. Sixth form requires minimum six B grades at GCSE but most comfortably exceed this. Increasing number from local independents highlights excellent cost-free A level education.

Exit

Very few leavers at 16+. At 18 most to university, many to Russell Group or 1994; a handful to Oxbridge. Medicine, law, sciences, engineering popular, also art and psychology.

Money Matters

Yorkshire’s only state boarding school, free for day pupils, boarders charged on a sliding scale, but still much cheaper than independent alternatives.

Special Education Needs Survey

SEN Statement

Ripon Grammar School SEN Team work closely with students, parents and staff to provide quality support for students with special educational needs.

Sept 2010

Autistic Spectrum Disorder

	Currently no provision for.	Can provide for but no experience of	Experience of	Now provide for in school	Centre of Excellence for.
Aspergers Syndrome Mild
Aspergers Syndrome Moderate
Aspergers Syndrome Severe
Autism Mild
Autism Moderate
Autism Severe
Semantic Pragmatic Disorder
Other Autistic

Behavioural Difficulties

	Currently no provision for.	Can provide for but no experience of	Experience of	Now provide for in school	Centre of Excellence for.
Attention Deficit Disorder Mild
Attention Deficit Disorder Moderate
Attention Deficit Disorder Severe
Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorders Mild
Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorders Moderate
Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorders Severe
Emotional and behavioural difficulties Mild
Emotional and behavioural difficulties Moderate
Emotional and behavioural difficulties Severe
Conduct Disorders
Obsessive Compulsive Disorders
Oppositional Defiant Disorders
Tourettes and other tic disorders

Genetic and related Disorders

	Currently no provision for.	Can provide for but no experience of	Experience of	Now provide for in school	Centre of Excellence for.
Down's Syndrome Mild
Down's Syndrome Moderate
Down's Syndrome Severe
Fragile X
Other genetic

Learning difficulties

	Currently no provision for.	Can provide for but no experience of	Experience of	Now provide for in school	Centre of Excellence for.
Moderate learning difficulties
Profound and multiple learning difficulties
Severe learning difficulties

Specific learning difficulties

	Currently no provision for.	Can provide for but no experience of	Experience of	Now provide for in school	Centre of Excellence for.
Dyscalculia Mild
Dyscalculia Moderate
Dyscalculia Severe
Dyslexia Mild
Dyslexia Moderate
Dyslexia Severe
Dyspraxia Mild
Dyspraxia Moderate
Dyspraxia Severe
Other Specific Learning Difficulties Mild
Other Specific Learning Difficulties Moderate
Other Specific Learning Difficulties Severe
English as an additional language

Sensory Impairment

	Currently no provision for.	Can provide for but no experience of	Experience of	Now provide for in school	Centre of Excellence for.
Hearing Impairment Mild
Hearing Impairment Moderate
Hearing Impairment Severe
Multi-sensory Impairment
Speech and Language Difficulties
Visual Impairment Mild
Visual Impairment Moderate
Visual Impairment Severe

Medical and Related Needs

	Currently no provision for.	Can provide for but no experience of	Experience of	Now provide for in school	Centre of Excellence for.
Cerebral Palsy Mild
Cerebral Palsy Moderate
Cerebral Palsy Severe
"Delicate" children
Epilepsy
Eating disorders
Physical Difficulties (Not indicated elsewhere.)
Other

General Questions

Are all children tested for SEN on entry to the school?
Please outline the screening programmes used by the school.
How many children with statements of need or equivalent do you have in the school?		3
Do you make special provision for exceptionally gifted children?		Tailored to meet individuals needs
Please outline what is on offer for such children		Tailored to meet indivia
Please indicate if the school has or has available to it any of the following:
Behaviour Support Unit.
Learning Support Unit.
Pupil Referral Unit.
Other withdrawal.
Specialist language centre
Schemes or Initiatives such as SHARE or Playing for Success.
Please indicate if the school has any of the following characteristics:
SEN accreditation, for example by CRESTED?
Centre of excellence for SEN that is Not already outlined?
Good wheelchair access
Provides outreach support?
Receives outreach support?
Do children with SEN participate fully in sport and other extracurricular activities?
Please provide information on staffing. Does the school have:
A SENCO or equivalent?
Staff who will administer prescription medicines to a child
Qualified teaching staff with learning support or SEN commitment(please say how many, in full-time equivalent).
Non-teaching staff with learning support or SEN commitment(please say how many, in full-time equivalent).		2
Please list specialist qualifications held by teaching staff with learning support or SEN commitment.
Please list specialist qualifications held by non-teaching staff with learning support or SEN commitment.

School Features

Curricula

GCSE - standard English curriculum

A level - standard English curriculum

Specialist Schools

Engineering

Comments

Be the first to comment on this school.

Please login/register to comment.